Opening Session, Development and Climate Days 11th December 9.00-10.45 am at DR-Byen’s Concert House, Studie 2

Open to the general public



You are hereby invited to attend the Opening Session of Development and Climate Days 2009. Development and Climate Days – the main event during COP15 focusing on development and climate change – is organized by the International Institute for Environment and Development. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hosting the Opening Session.



The following panelists will present thoughts on adaptation to climate change, and climate change as a development challenge:



· Ms. Ulla Tørnæs, Minister for Development Cooperation of Denmark

· Ms. Wangari Maathai, Professor, 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Winner and founder of the Green Belt Movement

· Mr. Paul Collier, Professor of Economics, Director at Centre for the Study of African Economies, Oxford University

· Mr. Ditlev Engel, CEO and President of Vestas



The Session will be chaired by Ms. Farhana Yamin, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. And the Thomson Reuters Foundation (partner of COM+) will launch a new website on the humanitarian impacts of climate change – “Alertnet:Climate”.



The Opening Session is open to the public and participation is free of charge. Seats will be allocated on a first come, first served basis due to the limited number of seats. Pre-registration is therefore necessary. Deadline is the 10th of December 2009. Register by sending your name and contact details to corinne.schoch@iied.org with cc. to dornei@um.dk.



Venue: DR-Byen’s Concert House, Studie 2, Emil Holms Kanal 20, 0999 Copenhagen C.

Nearest metro: DR-Byen (two stops from the Bella Center).

Registration from 8.15am (coffee is served) and the doors will close at 9.00 to ensure a prompt start to the event.



For further information contact Dorte Neimann: dornei@um.dk / +45 3392 0778





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CHARLOTTE ROSEN / CHAROS@UM.DK

ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

+ 45 33 92 1770



MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

ASIATISK PLADS 2 / DK-1448 COPENHAGEN K

+ 45 33 92 00 00 / WWW.UM.DK